History of volunteering in Ukraine: from the 18th century to the present

As a social movement, volunteering originated in the West. Historians note that the first volunteers were the Samaritans, who provided assistance to all those in need. The word "volunteer" comes from the Latin "voluntarius", which translates as "wishing", "volunteer".

The official year of the emergence of volunteer activity was 1859. It was at this time that the French journalist and writer Henri Durand, who was struck by the terrible results of the battle of Solferino, came up with the idea to open an organization that would help the wounded and captured soldiers. Thus was born the Committee of the Red Cross, which today operates in more than 90 countries.

Empathy, kindness, responsiveness are in the blood of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, our ancestors helped their compatriots long before the concept of "volunteering" appeared. In the 18th century, an important component of the life of communities was assistance in the improvement of local churches, the construction and repair of schools, temples, and hospitals. Members of the community collected funds and controlled their spending.



This fact is confirmed by a number of acts that are stored in the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. According to them, you can track the social activities of the inhabitants of the current Sumy region. For example, in one of the documents there is information about how in 1754 the community (the village of Oksyutintsy, Romnyshchyna) submitted an application for the position of a clergyman in the Holy Trinity Church in the name of Gerasim Grigorievich (a former student of the Kyiv Academy). In the same year, landowners from the village of Kalinovka (Romenshchina) were waiting for permission to build the Church of the Intercession. Volunteers collected half of the necessary funds themselves.



According to the archives, not only people with high social status were engaged in social activities. Under a number of petitions there are the names of both officials and Cossack foremen, as well as ordinary peasants.

In independent Ukraine, the volunteer movement began to develop actively in the early 90s of the 20th century. It started with the creation of a special service "Helpline", where anyone who needed psychological help could turn.

The impetus for the intensification of public activity was the emergence of Ukraine as a democratic state, which is based on such principles as freedom, humanism
and creativity.



The war of Russia against Ukraine brought the volunteer movement to the highest level of development. It has become a powerful social and social movement that provides assistance to all those in need.

One of those who selflessly helps a huge number of people is the organization "DOPOMOGA RAZOM" - the official partner of the Violity website.

The mission of "DOPOMOGA RAZOM" is to meet the most important needs of the military and civilian population. The organization effectively delivers everything needed to those areas of the country that need it most.



Thanks to the sponsorship of a number of entrepreneurs, as well as voluntary contributions from caring people, the volunteers of the organization provide equipment and military clothing for ZSU and territorial defense battalions, as well as purchase and deliver medical equipment and medicines to hospitals and medical institutions.

DOPOMOGA RAZOM also takes care of the most vulnerable category of Ukrainians: mothers and their children from birth to 3 years old. Baby food, clothing, hygiene and cosmetic products, first aid kits and vital medicines are all that the initiative provides.

The activities of the organization are approved at the official level. Volunteers provide up-to-date and reliable information on the distribution of funds and reports on the work performed.

All those who also want to contribute and help solve other people's problems are invited to join the initiative.